When the Bear Left for Bama

On the Eve of the Alabama-A&M Clash, a Look Back at the Legend They Shared

By

Randy Roberts

Updated Sept. 13, 2013 3:40 p.m. ET

On Nov. 9, 1957, Frank Rose, the newly appointed president of the University of Alabama, flew from Tuscaloosa to Houston for what would become the most important alumni call in the history of college sports. The meeting changed the future of college football.

That day, Texas A&M stood on top of the football mountain. On Nov. 4, the Associated Press poll ranked the Aggies No. 1. Led by John David Crow, a thickly constructed runner who would win the Heisman Trophy that year, the Aggies featured a between-the-tackles...